Andrew Han is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Highland High School for AZPreps365.com.

Friday night the Highland Hawks, led by football head coach Brock Farrel, lost to the Perry Pumas 35-10 in Gilbert, falling to 0-4 on the season.

Farrel, whose team started the first quarter with a safety, said the offense and defense have to run a tighter ship when playing players such as Amos Augustine. A top Class of 2028 player for Perry with seven Division I offers, the wide receiver made it a challenge for the Highland defense.

“We did not execute tonight, we gave up big shots,” Farrel said. “The game plan was to know where No. 8 [Augustine] is and stop No. 8. He beat us for that and had a great night.

“On offense, we needed to be able to run the ball effectively and throw the ball when it was there.”

Farrel was “not happy” about the penalties that happened near the end, and said his team needs to master the basics.

Highland quarterback Rylan Reyes threw for two interceptions, but said he sees his team improving each week.

“Definitely with the pick in the endzone, even with everything hurting, I was telling my guys that I’m here for them and I just need them to have my back too,” Reyes said.

Highland High School quarterback Rylan Reyes (Andrew Han photo/AZPreps365)

Highland senior running back Cayman Mullenaux led the team in yards rushed and said there is always more a person can do – himself included.

“It starts at practice,” Mullenaux said. “It starts through just spending time with each other. Like, we uplift each other because we know we can’t do it alone. So we know we got each other’s back no matter what and we’re ready to go at any time.”

Perry’s Kael Snyder, a Class of 2027 top prospect attracting attention from more than 20 Division I schools, was a key piece to the Puma’s success. He threw for three touchdowns with a 77-yard bomb to Augustine.

Despite all the Division I attention, Snyder said he is able to remain focused on high school.

“I try not to worry about it too much; you know, just sticking to my high school football team and then when the time comes, I’ll focus on college,” Snyder said.

Highland running back Bosten Renneman, a frequent name being announced during the game, thanked his whole running back room along with the whole offense making a solid effort.

“It definitely wasn’t just me,” Renneman said. “It was our entire running back group, our entire offense making a really solid effort to try score that touchdown, especially at the end. We’re all doing our dues and we’re all working our butts off.”

Highland High School running back Bosten Renneman (Andrew Han photo/AZPreps365)